ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President of India's greetings on the eve of Onam
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has sent her greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of Onam.
In a message, the President has said “On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad, especially the brothers and sisters of Kerala.
Celebrated to mark the harvesting of crops, Onam is an occasion to respect the hard work of our farmers and to express our gratitude towards Mother Nature.
People of Kerala have preserved their rich cultural heritage. This festival is also an opportunity for them, to promote mutual cooperation and harmony.
On this occasion, let us resolve to work unitedly and contribute in making India a prosperous and glorious nation”.
Click here to see the President's Message in Hindi
Ministry of Finance
Repayment of 6.65% GS 2020
The repayment of following securities is due as per details given below:
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Table: Details of GoI Securities maturing in the month of April, 2020
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Sl. No.
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Name of Security
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Scheduled Date of Repayment
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Effective date of Repayment
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No Interest Accrual from scheduled date of Repayment
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1.
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Repayment of 6.65% GS 2020
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April 09, 2020

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April 09, 2020

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April 09,2020

The outstanding balance under ‘6.65% Government Security 2020’ will be repayable on the effective date of repayment as indicated in column 4 of above table.In the event of a holiday being declared on effective day of repayment by any State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Loan/s will be repaid by the paying offices in that State on the previous working day.
As per sub-regulations 24  and 24 of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such Government Securities, shall submit the relevant particulars of their bank account well in advance. However, in the absence of relevant particulars of bank account/mandate for receipt of funds through electronic means, to facilitate repayment of the Loan on the due date, holders may tender the securities, duly discharged, at the Public Debt Offices, Treasuries / Sub-Treasuries and branches of State Bank of India  20 days in advance of the due date for repayment.
Full details of the procedure for receiving the discharge value may be obtained from any of the aforesaid paying offices.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity
ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 Corona Virus Vaccine   is manufactured by M/s Serum Institute of India Pvt., Ltd., Pune, while the Whole Virion Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine  is manufactured by M/s Bharat Biotech International Limited, Hyderabad.
As communicated by the M/s Serum Institute of India, the current monthly vaccine production capacity of Covishield is approx. 250-275 Million doses per month.
Further, as communicated by M/s Bharat Biotech International Limited, Hyderabad, the current monthly vaccine production capacity of Covaxin is approx. 50-60 Million doses/month. Both companies have achieved close to 90% of present production capacity.
Moreover, as per the provisions of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and in light of urgent need due to COVID pandemic in the country, CDSCO has granted permissions to following COVID-19 vaccines other than COVAXIN & COVISHIELD for prevention of COVID-19 for restricted use in emergency situation:
Permission For Manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines:
- Gam-COVID-Vac Combined vector vaccine [SPUTNIK-V] manufactured by M/s Ra , Panacea Biotec Ltd., New Delhi using imported Ready to Fill  bulk from M/s Generium JSC, Russia on 02.07.2021.
- Novel Corona Virus 2019-nCoV vaccine [ZyCoV-D] manufactured by M/s Cadila Healthcare Limited, Ahmedabad on 20.08.2021.
- Ad26.COV2-S  COVID-19 Vaccine manufactured by M/s Biological E limited, Hyderabad using imported bulk of M/s Johnson & Johnson Pvt. Ltd on 18.08.2021.
- Gam-COVID-Vac Combined vector vaccine [Sputnik–V] manufactured under technology transfer from M/s RDIF, Russia by M/s Hetero Biopharma Limited, Hyderabad on 07.10.2021.
Permission For Import of COVID-19 Vaccines:
- Gam-COVID-Vac Combined vector vaccine [SPUTNIK-V] to M/s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Hyderabad on 12.04.2021.
- mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine  to M/s Cipla Limited, Mumbai on 29.06.2021.
- Ad26.COV2-S  COVID-19 Vaccine to M/s Johnson & Johnson Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai on 07.08.2021.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Mines
NALCO CMD Dr. Chand conferred with the top national award ‘NIPM Ratna’ : Calls for MSMEs centred HR Model in 4th Industrial Revolution
Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO has been conferred with the prestigious ‘NIPM Ratna Award’ in the 37th NIPM’ Annual National Conference NATCON-2018, held at Pune. Dr. Chand was given the award in recognition to his significant contribution to People Management & Strategic Leadership.
Dr. Chand dedicated the award to HR professionals in the country and the Team NALCO.
Sharing his thoughts, Dr. Chand said, “We are now in the threshold of 4th industrial revolution. The 1st Industrial revolution marked the shift from muscle power to steam power while 2nd revolution occurred with application of electricity and mass production. With 3rd revolution it gave further wings to human efforts with implementation of IT & Automation. Now with the emerging 4th industrial revolution, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Robotics, Augmented Reality etc would be the trend setters.
Dr Chand further said that the new technology: Industry 4.0, will bring in substantial reduction in capital investments and Indian Industries needs to leverage it to remain globally competitive. “The need for the Industry is to prepare for the 4th Industrial revolution and Industry 4.0 Technology” he said.
“However, the challenges are far more daunting in a populous country like India with 1.3 billion populations and more so when the country is emerging as the youngest nation in the world with 64% of its population in the working age group. As the employment opportunity shrink in large and medium industry, focus of HR need to be on MSMEs and the new HR model should enable mother plant to remain globally competitive while promoting employment eco system through MSMEs and employability eco system to bridge the skill gap in the country” added Dr Chand.
It may be mentioned that National Institute of Personnel Management , the highest body of HR professionals in the country organized two day National Conference, NATCON-2018 at Pune, wherein large number of professional from across India & abroad are participating. Professionals from various walks of life have congratulated Dr. Chand for the award and his new model of People Management.
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Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Egypt on cooperation in the field of Agriculture & allied sectors
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Egypt for cooperation in the field of agriculture & allied sectors.
The MoU provides for cooperation in areas of agricultural crops , agricultural biotechnology, nanotechnology, irrigation and water management technology including water harvesting and micro-irrigation technology, management of agriculture wastes management for energy production; food security, safety and quality; horticulture; organic agriculture; livestock husbandry, livestock breeding, dairying, fisheries, feed and fodder production; animal products and value addition; sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues concerning trade in plant and animal products; agriculture machinery in small scale; agri-business and marketing; pre and post-harvest procedures; food technology and processing; integrated pest management in agriculture; agricultural extension and rural development; agricultural trade & investment; intellectual property rights issues; technical know-how and human resources in seed sector; infrastructure development and capacity building in agriculture & allied sectors and other related areas of interest that are mutually agreed upon by both Parties.
Cooperation will also be effected through exchange of research scientists and experts; exchange of agricultural information and scientific publications ; exchange of germplasm & agriculture technology; and conducting joint seminars, workshops, symposiums and other similar activities.
Under the MoU, a Joint Working Group  will be formed to enhance cooperation on matters of mutual interest including consultations on bilateral issues. The JWG will meet at least annually in the initial two years, alternately in India and Egypt to formulate joint work programs, facilitation and consultation, including making additional supplementary engagements with regard to specific issues.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Trichy Airport undergoing upgradation to offer better services
The terminal will be an energy efficient building with sustainable features
Trichy terminal will be ready by April 2023
Airports Authority of India has undertaken the expansion work of Trichy Airport which includes Construction of a New Integrated Passenger Terminal Building, a new Apron, Air Traffic Control  Tower, and upgradation of Air side facilities to cater the growing passenger traffic and reduce congestion during peak hours at the airport.
The new terminal building being constructed at the cost of Rs.951.28 Crores has been designed to process 2900 passengers during peak hours. Equipped with 48 check-in counters and 10 boarding bridges, the terminal will be an energy efficient building with sustainable features.
With an area of 75000 sq m, the new terminal building has been designed as an iconic structure of dynamic and dramatic building form with majestic roof. The interiors of the building reflect the colors and culture of the city through materials and textures in a contemporary manner.
The intuitive form of the new terminal will create a unique architectural identity in southern region and will add a new dimension to the terminal design. Strong references to the local culture and traditional architecture will be expressed by the building’s architecture. Arriving and departing passengers will sense this identity and reference to the place.
The airport expansion project also includes new apron, associated taxiways, isolation bay to make the airport suitable for Multiple Apron Ramp System i.e. five wide- body  or 10 narrow body aircraft . Other than this, construction of a Control Room, supporting Equipment Rooms, Terminal RADAR, RADAR simulation, Automation facilities, VHF, AAI offices and Meteorological offices are also the part of the project. Project also includes four-lane elevated access road connecting the Terminal Building to the city.
More than 75% of the construction work for terminal building is completed and the project will be ready by April 2023. Trichy is the second largest airport in International Passenger Traffic next to Chennai & Coimbatore. Development of Aviation Infrastructure will ensure enhanced air connectivity for the people of Trichy and surrounding area in Tamil Nadu.
Ariel View of New Integrated Terminal Building, New Apron & New Parallel Taxiway
Structural Steel works in progress
Service Yard works in progress
MEP works in progress
Parallel Taxiway works in progress
Perspective View of the Terminal Building
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Century’s Longest Total Lunar Eclipse on July 27-28;
Mars and Sun Will Lie Opposite to Each Other
Entire Eclipse can be seen from all Parts of India
A total lunar eclipse will occur on July 27-28, 2018 with a totality duration of 1 hour 43 minutes. The duration makes it the longest total lunar eclipse of this century .
On July 27, the red planet Mars, will also be at opposition, meaning that the Sun and Mars will lie opposite to each other, keeping the Earth in the middle. This will result in Mars coming close to the Earth, causing it to appear brighter than normal and it will be seen from evening to dawn towards the end of July. The brighter Mars will remain very close to the eclipsed Moon in the sky on July 27-28 and can be spotted very easily with the naked eye. However, the red planet will reach closest to the Earth on July 31, 2018. The planet Mars comes at opposition at an average interval of 2 years and 2 months when the planet comes close to the Earth and becomes brighter. Mars opposition that had occurred in August 2003 brought the two planets closest distance in approximately 60,000 years. The closest approach of Mars on July 31, 2018 will bring the two planets closest and the planet Mars to be seen brightest since 2003.
The partial eclipse of the Moon will begin at 23h 54m IST on July 27. The Moon will be gradually covered by the Earth’s shadow and the totality phase will begin at 1h 00m IST on July 28. The total eclipse will last upto 2h 43m IST on 28 July. Then the Moon will start to gradually come out of Earth’s shadow and partial eclipse will end at 3h 49m IST on July 28.
In this particular eclipse, the Moon will pass through the central part of the Earth’s umbral shadow. Furthermore, the Moon will be at apogee, means at farthest from the Earth in its orbit, on July 27 and will be moving at a slower speed in its orbit. This slower moving full Moon will take longer time and greater distance of Earth’s umbral shadow cone to travel, making it the longest duration of total eclipse of this century.
Such long duration of total lunar eclipses had earlier occurred on July 16, 2000 for totality duration of 1 hour 46 minutes and another one on June 15, 2011 for totality duration of 1 hour 40 minutes.
The entire eclipse will also be visible from all parts of India. The eclipse will also be visible in the region covering Australia, Asia, Russia - except the northern part, Africa, Europe, east of South America and Antarctica.
Ministry of Education
14500 PM Shri schools to emerge as exemplar schools and offer leadership to other schools
The Cabinet has approved a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme named Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India  on 7th September, 2022 to showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy  2020 and emerge as exemplar schools over a period of time, and also offer leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood.
Under the scheme there is provision of setting up of more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools by strengthening the existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central government/State/UT Government/local bodies. In the first phase of selection of PM SHRI Schools, a total of 6207 schools were selected from 27 States/UTs along with KVS/NVS in which more than 35 lakh students are getting benefitted.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism under Swadesh Darshan scheme has sanctioned 76 projects under 13 thematic circuits including ‘Buddhist theme’: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Development of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan scheme since its inception has sanctioned 76 projects under 13thematic circuits including ‘Buddhist theme’ for development of tourism infrastructure in the country. The projects under the scheme were identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier etc.
This information was given by Minister of Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his Jayanti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"आजादी के महान सेनानी शहीद भगत सिंह को उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
The brave Bhagat Singh lives in the heart of every Indian. His courageous sacrifice ignited the spark of patriotism among countless people. I bow to him on his Jayanti and recall his noble ideals."
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Foreign Investment in MSMEs sector
Foreign Direct Investment  is an enabling policy, which is uniformly applicable irrespective of scale and size of eligible investee entities. To promote FDI , the Government has put in place an investor-friendly policy, wherein most sector/activities including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  except certain strategically important sectors/activities are open for 100% FDI under the automatic route, subject to sectoral laws, regulations/rules, security conditions and state/local/laws/regulations.
No specific study has been conducted on the advantages and disadvantages of foreign investment in MSMEs sector from competitiveness and viability point of view by the Ministry.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  implements various schemes and programmes aimed at promotion and development of MSME Sector in the country.
These schemes/programmes include MSME Champions Scheme, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises , Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme , Micro and Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Programme .
Further Government has taken a number of initiatives under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support the MSME Sector. Some of them are:
i) Rs. 5 lakh crore collateral free automatic loans for business under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme , including MSMEs.
ii) Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through Self Reliant India Fund. This scheme has a provision for corpus of Rs.10,000 crore from Government of India.
iii) New revised criteria for classification of MSMEs.
iv) New registration of MSMEs through ''Udyam Registration'' for Ease of Doing Business.
v) No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crore.
vi) Inclusion of retail and whole sale trades as MSMEs w.e.f. 02 July, 2021.
vii) Non-tax benefits extended for 3 years in case of an upward change in status of MSMEs.
viii) Integration of Udyam Portal and National Career Service  of Ministry of Labour & Employment, as an outcome registered MSMEs are able to search for jobseekers on NCS.
This information was given by Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Claim in a viral video that Air India passengers from Chicago made to pay three times the fare is fake
Mumbai: May 8, 2020
There is a claim made in a viral video that passengers onboard the Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi were arguing as they had been charged thrice the fare. It is also claimed that these passengers were made to sit ignoring social distancing norms.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that this video is from an airline of a neighbouring country and not that of Air India as has been claimed.
The fares to be charged under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ and the first week schedule of Air India rescue flights from South East Asia, West Asia, UK and USA have already been announced and the government will not be overcharging anyone.
PIB Fact Check Unit undertakes verification of authenticity of news reports by referring them to concerned Ministries or Departments. It is an institutional arrangement made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for fighting the menace of fake news.
Ministry of Textiles
Smt Smriti Irani Chairs Meeting of Stakeholders on ‘Samarth’- Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector
Union Textiles Minister, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani addressing the meeting of stakeholders on Samarth in New Delhi.
A meeting of stakeholders on Samarth – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector under the Skill India Mission was held in New Delhi today to familiarize the stakeholders about the scheme and its guidelines. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Textiles, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani. The broad objective of the new scheme is to skill the youth for gainful and sustainable employment in the textile sector covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding spinning and weaving.
Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Ajay Tamta and Secretary, Textiles, Shri Anant Kumar Singh also addressed the stakeholders. The concerns of the stakeholders and challenges faced by them during implementation of the previous scheme were discussed in the meeting. Feedback from the concerned stakeholders on how the scheme can contribute and benefit the textile industry and boost skill development in the respective sector was also discussed.
The scheme, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 20th of December last year, is intended to provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework  compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the textiles sectors. The scheme targets to train 10 lakh persons  over a period of 3 years , with an outlay of Rs. 1300 crore. The guidelines of the scheme were released on 23rd of April 2018.
The meeting was attended by the senior officials of the Textiles Ministry, institutions and organizations under it, representatives of textile industry, State Governments, training institutions among others.